P.R.I.D.E. Training

P.R.I.D.E

P.R.I.D.E Foster/Adopt Pre-Service Training Program

P.R.I.D.E stands for Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education. The P.R.I.D.E Foster/Adopt Pre-Service Training Program is a training program for prospective foster and adoptive parents and is a model for the development and support of resource families. It is designed to strengthen the quality of family foster care and adoption services by providing a standardized, structured framework for recruiting, preparing, and selecting foster parents and adoptive parents. It also provides foster parent in-service training and ongoing professional development.

P.R.I.D.E. Pre-Service is a training tool designed for families considering becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent. There are nine sessions and they are as follows:

Module 1: The Foundation for Meeting the Developmental Needs of Children at Risk (12 Hours)

The knowledge and skills developed during the four sessions of this module are critical to successfully fulfilling any parenting role. The competencies addressed include assessing and building self-esteem, understanding behavior, and developing effective interpersonal skills. These sessions are designed to illustrate how to connect one’s understanding of self-esteem and the meaning of behavior to the use of effective communication skills and the discipline process.

The purpose of module two is to increase the understanding of the importance of discipline in meeting developmental needs, and to provide some concrete techniques and skills that can be used to manage behavior effectively. Building on the concepts presented and skills developed in module one, the three sessions in this module focus on proactive and reactive approaches to using discipline to protect, nurture, and advance children’s development.

This module provides information on normal sexual development and behavior in children and youth. It identifies factors which indicate problematic sexual behavior, and outlines techniques for educating children about sexuality. Module also discusses gender and LGTBQ issues for youth.

Module 4:Responding to the Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse (6 Hours)

This module consists of two sessions. The first session is intended to increase participants understanding of sexual abuse, while the second is focused on assisting foster parents to respond effectively to the issues of sexual abuse. You must have completed Module 3 to register for module 4.

Module 5: Supporting Relationships Between Children and Their Birth Families (9 Hours)

The objectives of this module are to help foster parents understand the importance of the child’s family relationships, to develop skills to support these relationships, and to provide ways for participants to share the parenting role and to help with birth parents.

Module 6: Working as a Professional Team Member (9 Hours)

This module provides foster parents and staff with an understanding of how the professional team works on behalf of children and families. These three sessions include information and skill development related to teamwork, the tasks of foster parents as professional team members, and conflict management.

This module addresses the meaning of culture, cultural competence and the impact of culture on self-esteem, how to incorporate the child’s culture and traditions into daily life, managing the diverse traditions within the family, and the importance of recording the child’s life story in a way that promotes a positive sense of identity.

Module 8: In development.

Module 9: Managing the Fostering Experience (9 Hours)

This module examines the impact of placement on the foster family. Participants explore ways to manage the changes, transitions, and challenges they will face. They consider how they might manage the impact of abuse and neglect allegations, the importance of safeguarding, documentation, and the Protocol for Investigations of Allegations of abuse in a Foster Home.

There is a growing body of knowledge in child development that provides more hope than ever that children – even those who have experience significant trauma – can be helped to achieve their developmental goals. We will explore basic concepts in children development, research that supports these, and how these concepts shape our approach to providing care for these infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children.

This module addresses key developmental tasks of pre-teens and teens. Barriers and challenges to healthy development that youth in foster care are likely to experience, and how this ultimately impacts the youth’s ability to successfully transition to adulthood. The participants are also guided to develop strategies to promote resilience and healthy development.

Module AS-1: Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence (9 Hours)

This advanced and specialized training module provides a basis for understanding the dynamics of domestic violence, including why victims often remain with their abusers, the connection between domestic violence and child abuse, the impact of domestic violence on children, and strategies for parenting children who have experienced domestic violence. Prerequisites for this module are PRIDE 1, 2, 11, and 12.

Module AS-2: Teens in Care: Supporting Attachment (6 Hours)

This advanced and specialized training module is designed to help participants understand how trauma and loss, experienced in the early stages of development, will affect the teen’s ability to form and build relationships. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of integrating teens into the family routine and ways to promote healthy relationships with the teen on a day to day basis. Registration for this module requires prior social worker approval Prerequisites for this module are P.R.I.D.E core modules 1, 2, 11 and 12.

Module AS-3: Working Together to Improve the Educational Outcomes for Youth in Care (9 Hours)

This module is intended to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills, helping them to improve educational outcomes for youth in care. This module focuses primarily on the needs of youth aged 12 and older. Prerequisites: P.R.I.D.E core modules 1, 2, 11 and 12.

Module AS-4: Preparing Youth for Successful Adulthood (12 Hours)

Youth preparing to leave care need to develop life skills such as getting a job, managing money and learning how to cook; but they also need strong lasting relationships with caring adults. This training focuses on the importance of stable, consistent, and healthy relationships in helping youth learn life skills, and in, transition effectively into adulthood. Prerequisites: P.R.I.D.E core modules 1, 2, 11 and 12.